Hear me out, a smoothie (Phainon x Reader) using strawberries (Himmel x Frieren) and bananas (EPIC Odysseus x Penelope) as ingredients 🗣️
(alias making a Phainon x Reader one-shot by mixing the concepts of Himmel x Frieren and Odysseus x Penelope) PS: I'm using a translator, help, you don't have to do it if you don't want
This is an interesting request!
Though I do apologize to you anon, I won't write these ideas into a one-shot (due to it being a bit too hectic for me) but, I do appreciate them! So allow me to go on a little ramble on how certain aspects in these two ships fit into Phainon's love towards you;
— ✿ Let's start with Frimmel (Frieren x Himmel), This ship is one of my favorite ones because it has a trope that I gravitate to: one character realizing how much they cherished the other once they're no longer side by side.
I'm sure we all know that Himmel is one of the characters Hoyoverse used as reference in the making of Phainon, and I can certainly see many similarities in their personality other than the obvious Hero motive.
In the topic of romance, both heroes carry their desire for someone till the end.
Himmel's love towards Frieren started from a flower field spell she conjured that lit up the once darkened forest, and years later, he searches for Frieren to recruit her into his party—one of many to pursue the defeat of the Demon King, yet, as we all know; they’ll be the one to finally succeed—and when she questions why he chooses her when there are many powerful mages in the Imperial, he simply answers; “I only wanted you.”
And he truly meant it. Till the end of his life, he remained loyal in his love for Frieren even when she didn't recognize it until after he's gone. That's when she finally unravels both of their feelings, and the show makes it clear how time obscures her way of seeing things, but Himmel never puts it against her for this. That's how sincere he is in loving her.
And I have no doubt that Phainon is no different. His love for you, even if he knows the cycles will force him to start from scratch and he'll have to pursue you over and over again—he'll do it. Because what is Phainon, if not relentless in his goal. And when it came to you? He'll burn himself to light the path ahead, one that leads him into your arms.
While Himmel's feelings for Frieren are gradually unveiled after his passing—Phainon does not have the privilege to die and forever be gone, and neither do you. Hence, he makes his feelings known to you in each and every cycle.
There are cycles where you accept his feelings, some end with the two of you married, others with short-lived romance, and a few are met with rrejection—his heart aches the most in those rare times, yet it does not diminish his longing to be with you. So in the next cycle, he chases after you again.
He pushes aside the looming fate ahead and that his efforts are futile because the outcome remains the same. The dawn of tomorrow is yet to break through the horizon, and he has yet to fully be with you.
But then again, who is Phainon if not relentless?
— ✿ Moving on to our next couple; Odysseus and Penelope! (I'm not aware of their ship name, sorry) I have to admit that I'm a surface fan when it comes to Odysseus and Penelope, I've watched a few animations with the EPIC songs, they're absolutely amazing and I loved them (my favorite is Scylla). I understand the basic storyline of Odysseus, so I'll do my best to go off of what I know in regards to his relationship with his wife, Penelope, and how it might tie to Phainon. So please forgive me if I misunderstood anything!
As we all know, Odysseus' main objective is to survive, not for himself, or Ithaca (though that's partially one of the reasons), but for Penelope. For his wife. Because she told him to live and return home. Throughout the whole SAGA, we witness his journey towards home. The sacrifices he had to make in order to reach his goals. Killing comrades and friends. Witnessing his own humanity began to dissolve into obscurity.
The journey sounds awfully familiar, doesn't it?
That's not the only parallel between him and Odysseus. Odysseus' absolute devotion for his wife, for his family, is what drives him to continue marching through this path. The journey greatly affected him, the sacrifices he had to make and witness—it all weighed on his shoulders because it mattered—all the bloodshed left its marks on his hands and no matter how much he tried to wash it off. It will never fade.
But we all have to give credit where credit is due, Odysseus loves his wife. But even the word ‘love' doesn't begin to describe what he feels for Penelope. And Penelope is also an amazing woman, throughout the 20 years he was gone, she stayed standing and led the kingdom while raising a son, not to mention having to deal with relentless suitors. It's safe to say that they're both made for one another.
Now in the case of Phainon, I've only touched on the surface of his longing for you in Himmel's case. But here, we can go even deeper into his bottomless love for you.
I greatly believe that If placed in the same spot as Odysseus, Phainon would do the same. Have we all not seen his unrelenting nature throughout the thirty million cycles? He goes beyond to even scratch an Aeon. What is literally the embodiment of destruction, he managed to land a wound on THEIR cheek. A small golden cut. This parallels Odysseus using Poseidon's own trident to stab him over and over.
Phainon's devotion to you is bright. And no ocean can ever hope to diminish it. If it ever takes form, it will be the most blinding light of the universe, reaching every corner with its glimmer.
If Phainon is given a mission far from the safety of Okhema and you demand he returns. Not for the Holy City or Chrysos Heirs, but for you? Then he will do so without hesitation. Even if his body has to be destroyed in the process, and his mind is left in ruins caused by the destruction left in his wake.
The darkness that surrounded him, clinging into his figure, would all fade away once he sees you.
Both he and Odysseus possess a devotion so powerful that even fate must make way for them. And both are willing to sacrifice everything to reach the one they love.
